Frosty, Rudolph, Santa and Mrs. Claus paraded down Main Street in Killingly on Dec. 5. A crowd of about 400 eager children and parents greeted them at Davis Park. With the voices of the Killingly High School Chorus filling the air with song, the kids waited patiently in line for a chance to talk with Santa.

The annual event is the official kick-off to the holiday season in town. The Killingly Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, Danielson Rotary, Frito Lay, Killingly High School Chorus and its director Pam Rodgers choreographed the feel-good evening.

Rodgers and more than 30 KHS students performed a litany of songs for the crowd. Their most challenging number was "Twelve Nights of Christmas," a song that required Rodgers to point at the audience when it was their time to sing. With a Christmas headband bobbing and her arms waving for the audience to follow, Rodgers led the group in a merry version of the song.

Rodgers has participated in the event for more than 30 years. She knows her songs. She also knows how to prepare for a crowd that can't always remember the words to the Christmas classics. She brought a box of song books with her. "It's a fun, jolly night," she said. "Plus you get to wear silly things on your head."

The Danielson Rotary was prepared for the cold with gallons of hot chocolate, free for the taking. This is their 18th year of providing hot beverages for those who brave the chill for the chance to see Santa. Frito Lay donated boxes of oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies. There were candy canes and fruit snacks compliments of the Recreation Department. And the Public Works Department wrapped the trees and monuments and gazebo at Davis Park in thousands of lights.

"It's a classic," said KPRD Assistant Director Anthony Eisley. "It's a tradition to line up and watch the parade come down the street with Frosty leading the way."